Method of forming bearings



Dec. 19, 1933. E. P. KIERRUISH I ,78

METHOD OF FORMING BEARINGS Filed 0012. 10, 1929 I 56g, 3 A;

S g, 4 Ar /6 VENTOR. di Id/d 617%[62 5% am i 5 A TTORNE .3

Patented Dec. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF FORMING BEARINGS Application October 10, 1929. Serial No. 398,680

Claims.

The present invention relates, as indicated, to

a method of forming bearings, and more particularly to a method of forming composite bearings from strip metal. The primary object of the 5 invention is to provide a method whereby two mating semi-cylindrical members will be firmly held in mating relation to each other and with liquid-tight joints between the engaging edges of the respective members. A further object is to provide means for holding said members in such relation, such means being operable to rotate the members about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder formed by the mating of said members. A further object is to provide means of the character described formed to permit the feeding of molten metal to the interior of the cylinder during rotation thereof, whereby a layer of metal may be centrifugally cast upon the inner surface of such cylinder. Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain means and one mode of c rrying out the invention, such disclosed means and mode illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fg. 1 is a perspective view of a strip of material from which a bearing is to be formed; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a pair of semi-cylindrical members in mating relation; Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are longitudinal sections, the cylinder being shown in elevation, .of a cylinder held in a chuck suitable for use in the practice of the present invention, various tools being shown, in their respective figures, in operative relation with the cylinder.

In the practice of the invention, the strip is bent about its shorter axis to form a semicylinder 11. Another similar strip is similarly bent to form a semi-cylinder 12, and the two semi-cylinders are brought into mating relation to form a cylinder, as shown in Fig. 2.

Such cylinder is next placed in a chuck com- 50 prising a jaw 13, circular in cross-section, and

provided at its engaging end with a chamfer 14 of about and asecond jaw 15 similarly formed with a chamfer 16, and provided with a longitudinal bore 17. As will be obvious, the

chamfers 14 and 16 effectively clamp the members 11 and 12 in their mating relation, as the jaws 13 and 15 are forced toward each other.

As will be obvious, with the semi-cylinders 11 and 12 clamped in this position by the chuck jaws 13 and 15, it is possible to perform relatively light work upon the external surface of the cylinder formed by the members .11 and 12. Thus, in Fig. 3, I have shown a grinding wheel 18 engaging such external surface, and in Fig. 4 I have shown a wire brush 19 engaging such surface. Heavy work, such as cutting, might cause disarrangement or deformation of the respective members. The bearings which the present process is primarily intended to produce comprise a hard metal backing and a relatively soft metal layer on the internal surface thereof. The strips 11 and 12 are, of course, the hard metal backings. The only really satisfactory manner in which the soft metal can be secured to the inner surface of such elements is by-centrifugal casting. The present method provides for such casting.

After the elements 11 and 12 are mounted in the chuck 13-15, the chuck is rotated and molten metal is forced through the bore 17 to the interior of the cylinder formed by the elements-11 and 12. As has been stated, the meeting edges of said elements 11 and 12 are held in liquid-tight relation by the clamping engagement of the chamfers 14 and 16 with said elements. Consequently, there is no possibility that the metal forced into the interior of the cylinder will find its way between said elements to destroy the true cylindrical shape of the composite element.

As will be obvious, after the inner surface layer of metal has cooled and hardened, it will act as a die holding the elements 11 and 12 rigidly together. Thus, after such metal has hardened, a cutting tool 20, such as is shown in Fig. 5, may be used to operate upon the composite element.

Other modes of applying the principle of this invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the means and the steps herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of the following claims or their equivalent be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. The method of forming a bearing which includes the steps of providing a pair of mating semicylindrical elements, bringing said elements into mating relation, applying clamping pressure to the opposite ends of said mated elements to hold them in such relation, rotating said elements about their longitudinal axis, feeding molten metal to the interior thereof and continuing said rotation of said elements in contact with a tool,

2. In a method of forming a bearing from strip material, the steps which consist of bending a strip to semi-cylindrical form, bending a second strip to semi-cylindrical form, bringing said bent strips into mating relation with each other, clamping such strips in mating relation, rotating said clamped members about their longitudinal axis, feeding molten metal to the interior thereof and continuing said rotation of said elements in contact with a tool.

3. In a method of forming a bearing from strip material, the steps which consist of bending a strip to semi-cylindrical form, bending a second strip to semi-cylindrical form, bringing said bent strips into mating relation with each other, mounting said mated strips in a clamping chuck which engages the opposite ends of each of said strips, rotating said chuck, and lining the interior of said strips during such rotation.

4. In a method of forming a hearing from strip material, the steps which consist of bending a strip to semi-cylindrical form, bending a second strip to semi-cylindrical form, bringing said bent strips into mating relation with each other,

mounting said mated strips in a clamping chuck which engages the opposite ends of each of said strips, and rotating said chuck, lining the interior of said strips and then While holding a tool in contact with the external surfaces of said strips.

5. In a method of forming a composite bearing, the steps which consist in bringing a pair of semicylindrical members into mating relation to form a cylinder, clamping said members in such relation, rotating such cylinder about its longitudinal axis while feeding molten metal to the interior thereof, allowing such molten metal to cool whereby the same forms a tie for said two semi-cylindrical elements, and rotating the cylinder while operating upon the external surface thereof with a cutting tool.

EDWARD P. KERRUISH. 

